Controversial call ends Temecula Valley’s historic basketball run, C-1
A-1
Easter Sunrise Service will light up the San Jacinto Valley, D-5
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SERVING TEMECULA , MURRIETA , L AKE E LSINOR E , M ENIFEE , WILDOMAR , H EMET, SAN JACINTO AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES March 8 – 14, 2024
VISI T myvalleynews.com
Local News RCA scores expansion of area lands for multispecies habitat protection in 2023
Volume 24, Issue 10
French Valley enjoys community fair at Rancho Bella Vista Park
Tony Ault Staf f Writer The Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority and the Multi Species Habitat Conservation Plan end-of-year report details that it received $27 million in various state and federal grants this year, allowing for the purchase of more conservation land in the county. see page A-3
Regional News California AG announces charges against local alleged crime ringleader SAN DIEGO – California Attorney General Rob Bonta, on Feb. 16, announced charges against the alleged ringleader of an organized retail crime scheme that spanned 21 counties, including Riverside, and involved an estimated $8 million worth of beauty products, as well as multiple members of her organized retail crime ring. see page C-6
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VALLEY NEWS
Anza Valley Outlook ......... D-1 Business ............................B-7 Business Directory .............B-7 Calendar of Events .............B-2 Classifieds .........................C-7 Education ..........................B-4 Entertainment ...................B-1 Faith................................. D-5 Health ...............................B-6 Home & Garden ................C-5 Legal Notices .................... D-6 Local ................................A-1 National News ...................C-7 Opinion.............................C-4 Real Estate ........................B-8 Regional News ...................C-6 Sports ................................C-1
Banner, a hound dog that works as a comfort dog for Riverside County Fire, greets people attending the French Valley Community Fair Saturday, March 2. See the story and more photos on page B-1. Valley News/Shane Gibson photo
TVUSD president and attorney react to recent court victory Julie Reeder Publisher
On Feb 23, the TVUSD teacher’s union and some parents were denied an injunction requesting a stay of two Temecula Valley Unified School District policies for which TVUSD President Dr. Komrosky is also facing a recall.
In denying the injunction, the judge decided to keep TVUSD’s board policies in place which is a victory for the district and indicates how he may rule ultimately. However, the lawsuit will still move forward. The two injunctions requested were against a parental notification policy and a Critical Race Theory
(CRT) policy. The parental notification policy requires schools to notify parents if their child chooses to use pronouns or use bathrooms that don’t match their biological gender. The CRT policy isn’t a ban, but it created a framework to teach the controversial theory. The school board was voted in by parents who apparently aligned
with the policies that were put in place, but the group of activists and teachers are going after the district and filed the lawsuit last year. Robert Tyler, a pro-bono attorney who is the president of the nonprofit Advocates for Faith and Freedom, is defending TVUSD. He said of the see TVUSD, page A-6
Black Voices of the Valley hosts 70s Soul Celebration
Diane A. Rhodes Special to the Valley News
For its third annual Night of Black Excellence that honors members of the community and gives scholarships to outstanding seniors, the Black Voices of the Valley nonprofit chose a 70s theme. The Feb. 24 event, held at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center, took guests back in time as they embraced the decade through music and fashions that ranged from bell bottoms to platform shoes. BVOV Director Stephanie Bruce welcomed everyone to the event that also serves as a Black History celebration and fundraiser. She said, “We pride ourselves on building back the unit of the family. We want to create an environment of Black excellence and we have to start with our youth, community leaders, and Black business owners that pour back into the community and pour into these scholarships that allow us to help our youth become our future leaders.” Lester Fountain, who sits on the BVOV board of directors, served as emcee once again this year. Additionally, he was surprised to be one of several community members recognized with the “It Takes see VOICES, page A-4
Six high school seniors, with local government officials, receive recognition and scholarships from Black Voices of the Valley during its third annual Night of Black Excellence event, Feb. 24. Valley News/Diane A. Rhodes photos
Community members receive It Takes A Village awards and congratulations from local dignitaries at the Black Voices of the Valley third annual Night of Black Excellence.